San Joaquin Marsh the Setting for Docent Day
The Irvine Ranch Water District San Joaquin Marsh provided the ideal setting for OC Wild’s 16th Annual Docent Day on October 19.
Ian Swift, IRWD’s Supervising Wetlands Biologist, was among the nine guest lecturers during the day-long event. The docent workshops featured presentations by researchers, biologists and specialists from Orange County.
The 80 participants could learn about wetlands, cavity nesters, snakes, the Channel Islands, the best hiking opportunities in the county and take guided bird walks. There was even a workshop on scat, the technical term for animal poop.
This is the second time the event was held at the Marsh campus. The first time was in 2009.
OC Wild is a coalition of wilderness land managers and stewards that educate the public about the importance of Orange County’s natural resources. Each October, OC Wild has hosted Docent Day as continuing education for the county’s naturalists, docents, rangers and others who lead public walks and talks about nature.
More information about OC Wild is located on their website. San Joaquin Marsh information is available on our website.
Contact: Shannon Reed, Public Affairs Manager
reeds@irwd.com, (949) 453-5500
Exceptional Customer Service is Goal One
High quality customer service, whether it be in person, on the phone or online is the hallmark of the Irvine Ranch Water District. Our customer service tradition features an unwavering commitment to provide the best service at the lowest possible cost to our customers. IRWD’s highly dedicated customer service professionals are available to provide information about many things, from your monthly water bill and bill payment questions to concerns about leaks and meter issues.
While our call center is available every business day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., IRWD customers can also quickly quench their thirst for account-related information by visiting the Customer Care section of the IRWD website for 24/7 access and information.
While visiting the IRWD website, customers can view how-to videos, sign up for eBill and register for the IRWD CodeRED emergency notification system, access their bill, discover multiple bill payment options and request a variance. During regular business hours, IRWD customer service specialists are available to answer questions via email at customerservice@irwd.com, or by calling (949) 453-5300.
Contact: Shannon Reed, Public Affairs Manager
reeds@irwd.com, (949) 453-5500
You’ll Flip for Flapjacks – Come on Down to the Marsh
If it’s October, it’s time for the Sea and Sage Audubon Society’s 21st annual pancake breakfast at the Irvine Ranch Water District San Joaquin Marsh.
Come enjoy a beautiful morning at the Marsh on Saturday, October 26 from 7:30-10:30 a.m. Sunlight filtering through the sycamores is a great compliment to the fragrance of pancakes and sausage fresh off the grill. Add in the sights and sounds of the Marsh awakening and you have the perfect way to start the day.
Reservations are required by calling the Audubon House at (949) 261-7963 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily. The cost of the breakfast is $10 for adults and $6 for children age six or under. Children under age three are free. Included are pancakes, sausage, fresh fruit, orange juice, milk and coffee.
There is something for everyone at the pancake breakfast. This year, bird walks are scheduled during the morning, before and after breakfast. Be sure to bring your binoculars. Several scope stations will be set up where visitors can get close up views of the birds out on the ponds.
Drop by the book table, which will have a great selection of used nature books. The book sale begins at 7 a.m.
Stop by the Education table for a great exhibit showcasing some of the art projects the kids made at camp this summer. Learn about opportunities for adult volunteers to help share a love of nature with school children. Find out about the new education program which combines art with science, plus a host of other exciting education activities to investigate.
In the Duck Club, there will be ample information about the Sea and Sage chapter and many ways to become involved. Raffle cards may be stamped for entry into the drawing for special prizes.
Near the welcome table next to the Audubon House, Wild Birds Unlimited will have a table with bird seed, feeders, and other bird feeding items. They welcome questions about how or what to feed your birds, where to place your bird bath, what plants attract birds, and what to do if the birds are not coming to your feeders.
Optics4Birding will display some of their optics equipment for birders on the back porch of the Duck Club. This is a good opportunity for you to check out the latest in binoculars or scopes and ask questions.
Don't forget to stop by Audubon House to see the taxidermy birds on display, browse through the gift shop and book store, and check out the newly reorganized reference library. Volunteers inside Audubon House will be available to answer questions about Sea and Sage, birds, conservation issues, and education.
Check out the Sea and Sage website for more information.
Students Get Questions Answered at Ask-A-Scientist Night
Students are gearing up for the annual Irvine Unified School District science fair, which takes place on February 25, 2014. Ask-a-Scientist Night gives the students a kick-start on their projects, especially if they need a little extra help.
Irvine Ranch Water District engineers and water quality experts have participated in this event since its inception more than 20 years ago. More than30 curiousity filled students with questions filed through the “Water and Earth Science” room at Rancho San Joaquin Middle School the evening of October 16.
Joining other science and engineering professionals in talking to students were Mike Hoolihan, IRWD Principal Engineer, Alex Murphy, assistant engineer, and John Hills, IRWD’s retired Director of Water Quality.
For more information on our educational programs, please visit our website.
Contact: Shannon Reed, Public Affairs Manager
reeds@irwd.com, (949) 453-5500
Fall is a Great Time to Visit the Marsh
When was the last time you visited the Irvine Ranch Water District’s San Joaquin Marsh? There is no better time than the present to visit this best kept secret in Irvine.
The Marsh is a reconstructed wetlands designed to clean urban runoff from San Diego Creek before it reaches environmentally sensitive Upper Newport Bay. Besides enhancing water quality, the Marsh provides a home to some 230 species of birds and other wildlife in a park-like setting.
Additionally, the Marsh contains 12 miles of meandering hiking trails on 320 acres and is open 365 days a year, dawn to dusk. Best of all, the Marsh is free.
Visitors are encourages to bring binoculars for bird watching. But there are other animals that might be seen, such as bobcats, rabbits, squirrels, field mice and rats. The small rodent population is kept in check by the predatory animals and birds of prey.
The Marsh is located off Campus Drive near University Drive, on Riparian View. Follow Riparian View to the end of the pavement and into the parking lot.
For more information on the Marsh, please visit our website.
